# printer problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 29, 2003, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-problem/185084 "2003-06-29T02:43:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-problem/185084/1 "2003-06-29T02:43:00Z")
i just bought a used hp 663cse printer…it started out well, but-the black characters (new cartridge just installed) print out like it is just starting to run out of ink! does anyone know how i can fix it quickly? and, more to the point, cheaply? also, isn’t there a website which says something like “If your printing looks like this, do this…” thanks. hh ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-problem/185084/2 "2003-06-29T02:47:01Z")
If it’s a used printer, chances are good to excellent that it _is_ running out of black ink. But, you can try running a couple head cleaning cycles, and see if that clears it up. If you haven’t got a manual, I’ll see if I can dig up instructions on doing that. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-problem/185084/3 "2003-06-29T02:48:20Z")
Ack, didn’t see the “new cartridge” bit. Try the printhead cleaning. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-problem/185084/4 "2003-06-29T14:39:08Z")
Website: > **[Laptop Computers, Desktops, Printers, Ink & Toner](https://www.hp.com/us-en/home.html)** > > Learn about HP laptops, pc desktops, printers, accessories and more at the Official HP® Website. BTW, as mentioned before, after you put in a new cart you should do a cleaning. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-problem/185084/5 "2003-06-29T14:47:28Z")
just back! well, i can’t find a manual…how can one do a printhead cleaning cycle? thanks, hh ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-problem/185084/6 "2003-06-29T14:58:25Z")
To clean the print cartridges: Download and install the HP 663cse printer drivers and software from the hp site. Then go to Printers/HP663cse/Properties/Services/Clean the Print Cartridges. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-problem/185084/7 "2003-06-29T21:03:59Z")
Not to ask an obvious question but is the plastic strip completely removed from the new cartridge? If it is chances are you have a defective cartridge. See also [How do I print internal test pages? HP Deskjet printers have internal tests built into them. Printing internal test pages can be used to verify if the printer is working properly and to clean plugged cartridges. Click here for instructions on how to print internal test pages.](http://h20015.www2.hp.com/en/document.jhtml?reg=&cc=us&prodId=dj660cz&lc=en&docName=bpd09289#P5_507) ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-problem/185084/8 "2003-06-29T22:20:17Z")
Hmmm, I searched the world & no on has a printer called a " hp 663cse printer" Are you sure thats the model nbr?